Irish football mourns Des Casey
Wednesday, August 24, 2022
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The former Football Association of Ireland (FAI) president was also a UEFA Executive Committee member and became a UEFA vice-president in 2002.
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Des Casey, the former FAI president, who also served on UEFA’s Executive Committee has passed away aged 91.
First elected to the FAI Council in 1972, Des Casey served as president from 1984 until 1986, and as honorary secretary from the early 1990s until his 70th birthday in 2002. He was also an honorary life vice-president of the FAI.
He was president of the FAI when Jack Charlton was appointed manager of the men’s senior national team in 1986, playing an important role in that process. a move that led to the ‘Jack’s Army’ era and appearances at EURO ‘88 and the World Cups in 1990 and 1994.
He became the first Irishman to be elected onto the UEFA Executive Committee in 1992, served in UEFA's Youth Football Committee from 1986 to 2000, before becoming a vice-president of European football's governing body until 2002. In 2001, he received a lifetime achievement award from UEFA for his services to grassroots football, followed by an honorary membership the next year.
UEFA General Secretary Theodore Theodoridis said:
“We will forever remember Des Casey and his legacy to the beautiful game. His sterling work on football development during his many years of support and service to UEFA, particularly on youth and grassroots football, will live on with us. Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time.”
Synonymous with Dundalk FC and an honorary president of the club at the time of his death, Des was elected to the club board in 1962 and served as secretary at Oriel Park before he was appointed as honorary treasurer of the League of Ireland.
Speaking on behalf of the association and Irish football, FAI president Gerry McAnaney said: "This is a sad day for our game with the passing of Des Casey, one of the great custodians of Irish football for so many years and a gentleman who treated everyone he met with so much respect throughout his life.
"What Des didn’t know about football wasn’t worth knowing. From Dundalk to the League of Ireland, from the FAI to UEFA, we were blessed with his insight and his love for football. Des was a visionary and an administrator beyond compare.
"On a personal level I can only thank Des from the bottom of my heart for all the support he gave me as president of the association. He was never more than a phone call away with great advice and a listening ear.
"I know I speak for everyone involved with Irish football when I thank Des for his many years of service to our game. To his wife Mary and all his family and friends our deepest sympathies. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis."
Des is survived by his wife Mary, four children and a large extended family.